Post-Mortem: 2021-22 Dallas Mavericks

[BK_2020]

Looney would be enough.

Hey, if it's easy to obtain a Gobert or an Ayton or a Looney, go for it.

I have never mentioned Gobert or Ayton. Looney salary is 5 mio.

Looney is a player that GSW drafted in the first round and developed for his entire rookie contract despite his injury risks. After giving him a 3 year RFA contract and suffering through two injury-riddled seasons, GSW have finally been rewarded with a good center on a good contract. It's not easy to get a Looney.

[Bob8]

Hey, if it's easy to obtain a Gobert or an Ayton or a Looney, go for it.

I have never mentioned Gobert or Ayton. Looney salary is 5 mio.

Looney is a player that GSW drafted in the first round and developed for his entire rookie contract despite his injury risks. After giving him a 3 year RFA contract and suffering through two injury-riddled seasons, GSW have finally been rewarded with a good center on a good contract. It's not easy to get a Looney.

Look at Powell playoffs stats and tell me that is difficult to get upgraded over him. Mavs didn't believe they can make run like that, so they have, after trading KP, left C place empty and that hurt them a lot in the end.

[BK_2020]

I have never mentioned Gobert or Ayton. Looney salary is 5 mio.

Looney is a player that GSW drafted in the first round and developed for his entire rookie contract despite his injury risks. After giving him a 3 year RFA contract and suffering through two injury-riddled seasons, GSW have finally been rewarded with a good center on a good contract. It's not easy to get a Looney.

Look at Powell playoffs stats and tell me that is difficult to get upgraded over him. Mavs didn't believe they can make run like that, so they have, after trading KP, left C place empty.

Who would they have easily obtained if they were expecting to make a playoff run? Maybe you have some names in mind. What I do know is, teams that did expect to make a run had horrible depth at C. To give a few examples, the Sixers were running out Deandre Jordan's corpse at C. I don't think GSW even have a backup C. The Nets didn't have anyone at C either.

[Bob8]

Looney is a player that GSW drafted in the first round and developed for his entire rookie contract despite his injury risks. After giving him a 3 year RFA contract and suffering through two injury-riddled seasons, GSW have finally been rewarded with a good center on a good contract. It's not easy to get a Looney.

Look at Powell playoffs stats and tell me that is difficult to get upgraded over him. Mavs didn't believe they can make run like that, so they have, after trading KP, left C place empty.

Who would they have easily obtained if they were expecting to make a playoff run? Maybe you have some names in mind. What I do know is, teams that did expect to make a run had horrible depth at C. To give a few examples, the Sixers were running out Deandre Jordan's corpse at C. I don't think GSW even have a backup C. The Nets didn't have anyone at C either.

GSW might not have backup C, but Powell's 3 points and 2 rebounds as starter are difficult to be beaten. 3rd Suns C would be great for Mavs .

[a8bil]

Great season... I am a bit mystified by the responses in here. I thought the issue for the Mavs was that Luka created wide open shots but that his surrounding cast just kept missing them. Is that not right? In my view, the Mavs focus first needs to be on hiding Luka on defense. It's not that he's bad, but just like Curry he can be exploited and his trying to give max effort on D takes away from his O. A great 3 and D wing would help Luka and the Mavs immensely. I also think one more really solid wing would do wonders. Mavs got way too little production from Bullock.

[jpengland]

I worry this team has peaked without significant change.

Kidd has vastly out performed my expectations (he's grown wiser and surrounded himself with exceptional coaching and played the motivator role) but we have seen his defensive improvements haven't lasted long term in the past.


Ultimately the issue is that we have 65m tied up in Powell, THJ, Dinwiddie and Bertans. And no assets to add to those salaries to turn them into better players.

The big mistake was moving on from KP for that package. Yes, it was a catalyst for change and a short term improvement. But KP had the scope to play himself into better value and he was looking good when healthy this year.

As it stands, only real option is to run it back and try to find a serviceable starting big with the MLE, pay Brunson whatever it takes and hope THJ comes back at his best next year for another conference finals run.

[BK_2020]

Look at Powell playoffs stats and tell me that is difficult to get upgraded over him. Mavs didn't believe they can make run like that, so they have, after trading KP, left C place empty.

Who would they have easily obtained if they were expecting to make a playoff run? Maybe you have some names in mind. What I do know is, teams that did expect to make a run had horrible depth at C. To give a few examples, the Sixers were running out Deandre Jordan's corpse at C. I don't think GSW even have a backup C. The Nets didn't have anyone at C either.

GSW might not have backup C, but Powell's 3 points and 2 rebounds as starter are difficult to be beaten. 3rd Suns C would be great for Mavs .

I hear you. I thought your expectations were higher when you said good centers are not hard to get. If all you want is an upgrade on Powell maybe it's not so difficult.
I haven't watched much Mavericks but I always thought Powell was a decent big who is very good at rim running. I guess not.

[leolozon]

I worry this team has peaked without significant change.

Kidd has vastly out performed my expectations (he's grown wiser and surrounded himself with exceptional coaching and played the motivator role) but we have seen his defensive improvements haven't lasted long term in the past.


Ultimately the issue is that we have 65m tied up in Powell, THJ, Dinwiddie and Bertans. And no assets to add to those salaries to turn them into better players.

The big mistake was moving on from KP for that package. Yes, it was a catalyst for change and a short term improvement. But KP had the scope to play himself into better value and he was looking good when healthy this year.

As it stands, only real option is to run it back and try to find a serviceable starting big with the MLE, pay Brunson whatever it takes and hope THJ comes back at his best next year for another conference finals run.

The big mistake was to trade for KP to begin with. Made no sense to give the max to an injury prone player who never proved that he was worth the max.

The Mavs were impatient and tried to cut corners.

The second biggest mistake was probably to trade Curry for JRich... They showed that you can easily get a real 3andD guy by signing bullock. No need to trade one of the best shooter in the game.

[Ruma85]

I didn't understand why they didn't play powell as screen and fade, his proven he can make the 3.

I wonder what Bruson will sign for.

they need to find a starting center, Bamba,Robinson, possibly Valaciunas if you could find a way to trade for him

Luke surely needs to get in better shape, he addressed this as well.

THJ, i think would help alot to keep doncic legs fresh throughout these players, it sucks he got injured.

Should be very interesting what they do in the offseason to improve this team.

[FNQ]

Easy

- retain Brunson
- continue putting shooters around Luka
- look for a defensive dynamo on the perimeter. Bullock and DFS are nice, but I think they'd do well with their own Thybulle
- depth: Ntkilina, Josh Green, and maybe even Bertrans shouldn't be getting minutes in crucial games

They've done the hard part - they have a bonafide superstar. Brunson is between a 2nd and 3rd option (I'd personally go 3rd unless he can spike his 3ptA while also improving his % just a bit).. so now its just finding that one player who slots into the 2nd option.

[Magicman125]

Retain Brunson, look to move THJ and/or Bertans (maybe dinwiddie even if the others don't have enough of a market) for a mobile defensive 4/5 (if they can shoot, even better).

[Blazing_royale]

Man it would have been epic if Seth Curry was playing against this series against Steph. Seth was the perfect shooter for Luka.

[Bob8]

Who would they have easily obtained if they were expecting to make a playoff run? Maybe you have some names in mind. What I do know is, teams that did expect to make a run had horrible depth at C. To give a few examples, the Sixers were running out Deandre Jordan's corpse at C. I don't think GSW even have a backup C. The Nets didn't have anyone at C either.

GSW might not have backup C, but Powell's 3 points and 2 rebounds as starter are difficult to be beaten. 3rd Suns C would be great for Mavs .

I hear you. I thought your expectations were higher when you said good centers are not hard to get. If all you want is an upgrade on Powell maybe it's not so difficult.
I haven't watched much Mavericks but I always thought Powell was a decent big who is very good at rim running. I guess not.

I said solid C.

[bstein14]

Keeping coach and GM is a must.

Right now we are def a treadmill team in my opinion. I don’t see us going anywhere currently constructed. Most championship teams have a lot of good players including their bench and we are very far from that.

We aren’t in position to make many moves as we have a lot of players that no teams actually are in dire need of.

But Brunson my guy, i enjoyed watching your rise during the playoffs but you absolutely cannot be brought back. If we keep you, our championship hope takes quite a dive for the next couple years. Have to sell high and hope we get get some pieces in return that can shake things up or lead to more.

The old FO might have kept Brunson. Let’s see if this new FO does the obvious right decision.

Powell’s gotta go but I don’t know how and I’d like to see Tim Hardaway gonna as well. For what pieces? I have no idea but I want them gone.

YOu have no cap space if you let Brunson go. It's more about how much luxury tax Brunson causes your team to have to pay. If you keep Burnson or let him go, you only get to add players with the MLE either way.

[Texas Chuck]

2nd best record in the entire league from 1/1 on. Among the final 4 teams standing.

That's pretty good for a team with a fat star, a horrible governor, and no talent outside of Luka.....

They need a 2nd star. But can't get it until at least another year when their final pick debt falls off.

So keep Jalen, get a better center, be opportunistic and be a top 7 or 8 team again next year and try and go on another run.

Far from dire. And get your jokes in now. The rise of Luka is nearly upon you.

[cupcakesnake]

I think everyone is obsessed with finding a second star. I agree that Dallas needs to increase its general level of talent, but I'm not sure if that needs to be in the form of 1 singular all-NBA talent.

The formula this year worked:
- Tons of Luka.
- Aggressive extra ball handlers: Brunson, Dinwiddie, THJ
- 3&D with an emphasis on D: Kleber and DFS
- A lob threat: Powell

I think Dallas needs to keep this formula and keep trying to upgrade who those pieces are. Get a lob threat with a bit more all-around game than Powell maybe. Possibly acquire an even better scoring guard. Find elite defensive pieces.

Not saying any of those things are easy, but rather than shift the formula to accommodate another "star" find some near stars to perform in these roles. That would make Dallas a finals team.

[Texas Chuck]

I think everyone is obsessed with finding a second star. I agree that Dallas needs to increase its general level of talent, but I'm not sure if that needs to be in the form of 1 singular all-NBA talent.

jamaal would have supported our desire to finally have a 2nd star. Closest Dallas ever came was pre-peak Nash. Which admittedly was pretty good.

And the 2nd star doesn't have to be peak Kawhi or Giannis. But trying to repeat the Dirk title without Dirk? I'd rather just have another star please. That other way is really hard.

[CraftylikeaFox]

Lebrons 07 supporting cast would sweep the Mavs supporting cast

[dirkdiggler4177]

I think everyone is obsessed with finding a second star. I agree that Dallas needs to increase its general level of talent, but I'm not sure if that needs to be in the form of 1 singular all-NBA talent.

The formula this year worked:
- Tons of Luka.
- Aggressive extra ball handlers: Brunson, Dinwiddie, THJ
- 3&D with an emphasis on D: Kleber and DFS
- A lob threat: Powell

I think Dallas needs to keep this formula and keep trying to upgrade who those pieces are. Get a lob threat with a bit more all-around game than Powell maybe. Possibly acquire an even better scoring guard. Find elite defensive pieces.

Not saying any of those things are easy, but rather than shift the formula to accommodate another "star" find some near stars to perform in these roles. That would make Dallas a finals team.

Finaly someone making a lot of sense. Getting a big lob threat should not be that hard, but the challenge is getting someone who can move on defence.

[dc]

I worry this team has peaked without significant change.

Kidd has vastly out performed my expectations (he's grown wiser and surrounded himself with exceptional coaching and played the motivator role) but we have seen his defensive improvements haven't lasted long term in the past.


Ultimately the issue is that we have 65m tied up in Powell, THJ, Dinwiddie and Bertans. And no assets to add to those salaries to turn them into better players.

The big mistake was moving on from KP for that package. Yes, it was a catalyst for change and a short term improvement. But KP had the scope to play himself into better value and he was looking good when healthy this year.

As it stands, only real option is to run it back and try to find a serviceable starting big with the MLE, pay Brunson whatever it takes and hope THJ comes back at his best next year for another conference finals run.

I can't really blame them on the KP trade. They gambled and lost. They thought he'd get back to his pre-injury days, when he was a legit all-star and looking like he'd be a bonafide 2nd best player on a great team. But it's probably another case of one of these oversized (over 7'2") guys who is just never the same once they get a significant injury.

They had to give up assets to get Luka and KP, so that set them back a bit. Also hurts them that Luka (like Lebron's 1st stint with the Cavs) made them a little too good early on so they'd really have no way back to the lottery for awhile.

The Mavs will likely have to do again with Luka like they did with post-Nash/Finley Dirk: keep rotating in supporting casts until they find the right combo. They had good timing last time. They re-acquired Kidd and then got Peja, Chandler and Marion while they still had something left in the tank, and that coincided with Dirk's peak.

It'll be difficult for them to add pieces this summer with their cap situation, though. I think eventually they should try to clear room for some FAs instead of just continuing to clog their cap with short term solutions. I think the chance to play with Luka is a legit attractive option for some FAs, and I don't think they really need a superstar FA. Just a couple good ones.

Luka is a generational superstar and I think just a little bit more help than he has right now can go a long ways.